The June issue of Architectural Digest included a photograph of a unique swimming pool enclosure designed and built by Tanglewood Conservatories.

Included in the recent issue of Architectural Digest magazine is a feature on a large renovation project by Louisiana-based architect Ken Tate. The project includes a very unique conservatory which he commissioned Tanglewood to design and build. The full page image on p. 89 shows off the steel and glass pool pavilion that Tanglewood designed specially for this project

The architect had approached Tanglewood Conservatories with the request for a pool house conservatory which he insisted be constructed with steel and glass instead of the more traditional material for custom conservatories – wood.

When Ken first approached Tanglewood for some help with his project, he was unsure how the conservatory pool enclosure could be done in all steel, but trusted our team enough to let us run with the design work. He had some images in his mind but had no idea how it could be built.

After some discussion with Ken and the client about the design direction and other important factors to the design, we set to work. This initial phase of the work took about four weeks. We produced drawings for Ken to review, then went back and forth refining the concept.

When Ken first saw our initial design for the pool enclosure, he was completely enthralled. He hadn’t imagined how we could have designed the steel and glass pool pavilion conservatory the way we did and he was delighted with Tanglewood’s unconventional approach and design expertise.

Following his acceptance of Tanglewood’s pool house design, we worked together to resolve the many construction issues having to do with how the conservatory connects to the rest of the house, how it is set on the foundation and how all the small details would come together. Ken was one of the most detail oriented architects we’ve ever worked with but the close collaboration yielded a most remarkable project!

Mutual respect was the key to our success. Ken obviously had a great deal of respect for Tanglewood’s many years of experience in the design and construction of custom conservatories and we absolutely loved Ken’s work and were thrilled to be able to contribute to one of his great projects.

This project is really not much different from many of our other commissions. Tanglewood is hired by some of the best architects in the world because they can see our dedication to great design work and our vast experience within the highly specialized niche of traditional conservatory design. The fact that we are completely comfortable working with steel, bronze, wood or many of the other materials they might choose to use is a great benefit to them.

On our side, we make the commitment to them that we will produce an exceptional, innovative high quality building in a time sensitive and a cost efficient manner. We realize that one of our most important jobs is to make them look great.

The interior picture of the pool house is on page 89 of the magazine.

Ken paid us a big complement on seeing the steel and glass pool pavilion the first time. He said: “Extraordinary, I just want to tell you that I think it is fabulous. I think of how great your quality is, it’s absolutely extraordinary and I hope you love it as well!”

Thanks Ken. The project is a great one!

Alan

One of our new conservatories that encloses a large indoor swimming pool has made it onto the website LUXIST.COM, a watch listing of all things luxurious. We’re at the top in a section titled “The Classicist”. There’s all kinds of interesting and semi-interesting stuff on this website. The site is:

http://www.luxist.com/2010/01/11/the-classicist-tanglewood-conservatories-turn-of-the-century-s/

Looking up into the cupola

Pictures looking up into the cupola of the steel structure of the swimming pool enclosure.
A detail of the steel structure

Here are some pictures of the old world steel and glass swimming pool conservatory we are building as it nears completion – and with winter fast approaching, it’s not a day too soon.

The great room is now completely weather tight so all remaining work on the inside can proceed unhindered.

Now with scaffolding down and out of the way, the majesty of the structure begins to come into view.

The cast iron and steel parts with their forged curls and intricate rosettes make a tantalizingly reminiscent image that could be right out of a history book on the great glass houses of the nineteenth century. This was our intention from the start. In fact, it was the great glass conservatory at Syon Park which was the original inspiration for the design.

When complete, it will be filled with palm trees and make for one of the most unique custom pool houses Tanglewood Conservatories has ever built.

On the exterior, all of the windows and doors are installed and you can see the wonderful stained glass panels in place. All that is required is the final trim parts to be put on and the stone veneer to be laid up and this will have to wait for springtime and warmer weather.

The construction of this steel and glass conservatory house is a huge undertaking with the conservatory an important part, but only one of many really unique features. Final completion is not expected for another two years!

My other favorite feature of this mega-home is the thirty-five foot long shark tank. When the home is complete, you will descend a curving stairway to a lower level recreation center with the sharks on one side of you and a waterfall that spills over the edge of the swimming pool on the other side.

The theme of much of the home is water which makes sense since the home is situated with exquisite views out across a busy northern waterway.

You can see more pictures of the progress of this remarkable conservatory pool enclosure project at a new page on our website titled “Steel Structures”.

Also included on the page are images of the construction of several other very unique projects, one in particular, the magnificent greenhouse with the curving glass roof that is shown completed on the Antique Greenhouse page.

It is the greenhouse conservatory that is featured in the Washington Spaces article “Enchanted Estate” that was the subject of my previous blog.

Alan

Unbeknownst to me beforehand, Tanglewood Conservatories made it onto the cover of Custom Woodworking Business magazine this month! What a surprise when I opened the package with the issues of the magazine and saw the great cover shot of our conservatory interior.

Michaelle Bradford wrote the three page article on Tanglewood Conservatories titled “Bringing the Garden Inside- a Maryland company creates a ‘fantasy’ room for the home”. The piece focuses on how Nancy and I began the company and is the latest in Michaelle’s section called “Winning Niches”.

Michaelle is the Managing Editor of CWB as well as of several other Vance Publications and has the great job of flying around the country interviewing interesting people and writing about their stories.

I first met Michaelle in Germany last year when we were touring woodworking facilities and machinery manufacturers in the Black Forest region. I thought she had a great job then and I am even more impressed now.

Custom Woodworking Business magazine is an interesting publication geared towards; well- custom woodworking businesses. I had never heard of it before I met Michaelle. It addresses business issues, technical and production issues, marketing issues and strategic issues all highlighted using case studies involving “industrial strength” woodworking business (as their cover notes).

For example in this issue, there is an article on Terry Bostwick’s custom furniture line. Terry first gained national recognition for his “Art Nuvo”- style furniture but has more recently moved towards more modern pieces such as his “Slab” series. He’s got some cool looking stuff.

Then there is a column on Management Strategies titled: “The Full, Fast Truth” which talks about running an efficient woodworking business, and another profile of a company in Colorado that manufactures some very nice high-end custom doors.

And finally, there’s an article about airbrushing techniques and an “equipment spotlight” column.

A nice little niche publication.

Thanks Michaelle.

Alan

I don’t know if anyone else picked up on the error in last weekend’s Financial Times annual holiday gift ideas piece, which included the suggestion of a glass and copper dome by Tanglewood. The price mentioned was supposed to be $35,000. Instead they printed $350,000! Wow!

Alan

If you pick up a copy of the Financial Times newspaper this Saturday, you’ll find their annual Holiday Gift Guide will include at least one holiday gift idea from Tanglewood Conservatories.

They have asked to include one of our custom glass domes as a potential gift!

“We are running a gardeners gift guide in the House & Home
section of the FT Weekend, and one of the items featured is your glass
domes.” It mentions “…a shimmering curved glass dome framed in lead coated
copper”.

Alan

Alan Stein & Nancy Virts

The Proper Home, a website which bills itself as The Expert Resource for Quality Homeowners, has just posted an article showcasing Tanglewood and the way in which Nancy and I founded the company.

The article is titled: “Tanglewood Conservatories, A Beautiful Life” “When you think of the ultimate conservatories, Tanglewood Conservatories stands alone. In this story, we explore how Tanglewood came to be and explore the results of passion and a true labor of love.”

It’s a story I enjoyed!
Alan

In the most recent issue of Custom Home magazine there is a page called “Great Finds- Custom builders share their latest product finds”.

The idea is that the editor interviews various upscale builders about what products the builder and their clients find most outstanding.

This addition of Great Finds, Chip Gruver of Gruver-Cooley Corp. in Leesburg, Virginia mentions his company’s latest great finds. They include:

1. The Harding Steel hydraulic lift which will lower two cars into the basement effectively turning a two car garage into a four car garage.

2. Kohler’s DTV-2 shower system which features music, lighting, water and steam in the bathrooms.

3. Tanglewood Conservatories, whom he mentions they enjoy working with. “People seem to really like them”, Chip says!

That doesn’t surprise us. We work really hard at it!

Alan

The “2008 Best of Baltimore” list published in the August issue of Baltimore magazine is out and includes Tanglewood Conservatories!

The judges commented “You can’t beat the artistry and quality of the gazebos, pool houses and sunrooms created by Tanglewood Conservatories”.

They remark that “Tanglewood is one of only a handful of conservatory builders in the United States, and, fortunately for us, it’s located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.”

We are always thrilled to be recognized for our work. We strive very hard to create the artistry and quality that are our trademark and are happy to see that others can tell that there is a difference!

Pick up a copy of this issue of the magazine if you happen to be within the Baltimore area. It’s a very interesting and well done publication. I have not always known Baltimore as such a vibrant spot but over the years I’ve spent in this area, I’ve come to appreciate some really great restaurants, sights, ball games and lots of great stuff to do.

The Conservatory in Druid Hill park is a must see for anyone interested in conservatory architecture.

Thank you Baltimore.

Alan

I forgot to mention another article spotlighting sunrooms and conservatories (conservatories as a subset of sunrooms).

In the July issue of Chesapeake Home, an article titled “Sunrooms: Bring the outdoors in” by Rebecca E. Jones-Paulsen, discusses the growing popularity of sunrooms and conservatories and talks about new developments in energy efficiency. It also helps consumers learn about design options and features while discussing how consumers can go about identifying their own needs and budgets.

In making the distinction between a sunroom and a conservatory, Jones-Paulsen says “…they (conservatories) are still the most expensive style of sunroom to build. Consider conservatories the Ferrari of sunrooms.”

She goes on to say that “…and like exotic automobiles, custom conservatories are the products of elegant design and top-quality manufacturing.”

“Tanglewood Conservatories, a Denton, Maryland based company for example, offers exquisite, custom design and craftsmanship by a staff that focuses 100 percent of their attention on one thing – the conservatory.”

I would correct that by saying that we actually focus 100 percent of our attention on something other than the conservatory – our customers!

Alan